General Abdel Fatah Younes, a former senior official in Moamer Gaddafi's regime who defected to lead rebel forces, was assassinated, according to the head of the rebel National Transitional Council. "With all sadness, I inform you of the passing of Abdel Fatah Younes, the commander-in-chief of our rebel forces," NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said, according to AFP. "The person who carried out the assassination was captured," Abdel Jalil added.

Younes was shot and killed by an armed group while he was on his way to Benghazi after he had been called in to answer questions over the military situation, Abdel Jalil said.

Rumours circulated in Benghazi throughout Thursday that Younes was arrested and killed by rebels. "I ask you to refrain from paying attention to the rumours that Kadhafi's forces are trying to spread within our ranks," Abdel Jalil stated. Earlier this week, there were reports about Younes' death but they were dismissed.